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wedrifid comments on Share Your Checklists! - Less Wrong
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Paraphrasing David Wheeler, it seems that all problems in life can be solved by taking more modafinil except the problem of too much modafinil.
I think it's an interesting testament to the human condition that mind-numbing and life-ruining akrasia is easily solvable through a simple neurochemical change in the brain.
You have been taking modafinil for years now and pretty heavily. How have you dealt with tolerance? By taking more or cycling usage?
I actually haven't. The last of the checklists in the post is actually the one I take the most seriously. I did use modafinil heavily when I was originally prescribed it (for sleep apnea) but now treat that with a CPAP machine instead. I use modafinil occasionally as needed(/wanted).
I actually have a lot less tolerance for the stuff now than I did when I first started. Even at a third of the daily dose I orginally took I now don't feel tired much for several days. (I can only speculate about why.)
I cycle. Not because it doesn't work but because I need to ensure I get adequate sleep to keep up with the recovery demands of my exercise regimen without weakening my immune system and taking on the features of a zombie. (Bloodshot eyes, pale face. The look people get when they aren't sleeping enough.) I don't like taking modafinil more than once or twice a fortnight.
Is there a reason step 3 on that last list isn't also part of the first list?
If I don't have time for sleep I don't have time for campaigns of self modification. More to the point when I feel mentally exhausted and are pressed for time I do not trust my reasoning capabilities. Decisions to self modify to change fundamental priorities and life strategies should be done when fully functioning and without pressure.
That step three really is a non-trivial change. It can influence what goals or roles can realistically be taken on - some time pressures are not avoidable without sacrifice. It also potentially requires other adjustments. For instance - in my undergraduate days I did most assignments at the last minute under time pressure and suppressing sleep. If I were to study while having implemented step three comprehensively I would need to completely change my lifestyle.
I would go as far as to say I don't recommend step three for most people at all. I would perhaps recommend moving somewhat in the direction of less submission to external time pressures, just not to an extreme.
This algorithm also works if you replace modafinil with cocaine or caffeine.
It might be wise to cycle modafinil, caffeine, energizing blend kratom, and nicotine (not too addictive if you are just chewing nicotine gum every few days without the other stuff in cigarettes, based on studies and my personal experience) to avoid habituation and cut down on potential side effects from chronic consumption.
Cycle, not stack? Oh, right.
Personally, I prefer not to stack drugs ever unless the stack is one that's well-known and widely used.
This stack is missing something that was mentioned before... what was it...
Oh right, cocaine.
If we are going there we could also try:
Or as I call it, Saturday night.
Not having seen the movie, my reaction to this list is "what is sex in public doing there? the others seem like stupid, pointless things to do."
Which perhaps says too much about me.
Are you saying cocaine wouldn't work in the original algorithm I was commenting on? I'm pretty sure it would.
I didn't say that. Are you saying that any of the above alternatives wouldn't work also? Pretty sure they would too.
I don't think putting your hand in a waffle maker would work.
Are you sure modafinil doesn't have any long-term side effects for your liver or anything?
Pretty sure.
Yes. Liver strain (and toxicity in general) is not the strongest factor causing me to moderate my intake.
What is?
Sleep is awesome. While modafinil can enable me to perform cognitively as well on 5 hours sleep per night indefinitely as I usually perform on 8 hours it does not alter the physical consequences of less sleep. I will still end up getting physically run down and more vulnerable to minor infections. This is especially the case now when I am trying to train for a marathon while also doing as much body building as I think I can get away with. A recipe for overtraining without proper recover in place.
When I do happen to be using modafinil regularly I try to put a pay attention to forcing myself to sleep the right amount even when I'm not tired. More often I just don't bother with it. "With great power comes great responsibility... and sometimes responsibility isn't worth it!"
I'd like to hear your answer to niceguyanon's question.
OK